outfox

Beat through cunning

To outfox is to defeat someone through superior cunning or cleverness—to outsmart them as a fox might evade hunters.

The word implies winning not through force or resources but through wit: She outfoxed her competitors by anticipating their moves.

He thought he could outfox the IRS, but they caught up with him eventually.

surpass

outwit

Beat through superior cunning

outmaneuverDefeat through superior tactics
outthinkDefeat through superior reasoning
outsmartDefeat through superior cunning

outplay · best · trump · beat · overcome · prevail · outdo · outperform · outclass · one-up

tactics

stratagem

Deceptive plan for advantage

ployCalculated deceptive tactic
gambitRisky opening for advantage
maneuverDeliberate tactical movement

ruse · feint · scheme · ambush · trap · misdirection · diversion · flank · countermove · endgame

cunning

guile

Sly, strategic dishonesty

wileDeceptive trick or scheme
craftinessShrewd, devious cleverness
slynessCunning in manner

wiliness · artifice · shrewdness · caginess · scheming · deviousness · trickery · subtlety · chicanery · slickness

deceive

outsmart

Defeat through superior cunning

trickDeliberate deception
dupeDeceive or victim
bamboozleDeceive through cunning

hoodwink · mislead · con · beguile · gull · defraud · swindle · hoax · feint · scam

Categories

cunning tacticscunning, guile, ruse, ploy, stratagem
animal-likeapish, apelike, avian, beastly, birdlike
cunningcunning, craftiness, crafty, guile, slyness
outout, outside, outdoor, outdoors, outsider
stunstun, daze, shock, stupefy, stagger

Opposites

cunning success vs. failure

outfoxfall for it

fail · lose · bungle · blunder · succumb

cunning vs. straightforward approach

outfoxplay fair

Act honestly in competition

counsel · cooperate · collaborate · advise · overpower

mental superiority vs. physical dominance

outfoxoverpower

Defeat by superior force

outmuscle · overwhelm · brute force · strong-arm · bludgeon

Family

outfoxed, outfoxing, outfoxes

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G